Kington Choral Society Brahms Evening

ANYONE who considered Brahms just a composer of symphonies and a violin concerto was enlightened by Kington Choral Society's Brahms Evening on Saturday.

This began with a piano duet - three Hungarian Dances played by Patricia Morgan and Michael Channon.

Despite some inaccuracies, they captured the spirit of these demanding pieces. Next came some charming songs splendidly performed by Angharad Morgan and Craig Yates from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, sensitively accompanied by Peter Dyke.

These were separated by piano solos from Felicity Jones, a pupil at Lady Hawkins School. Her powerful playing of a Brahms Capriccio and Rhapsody ensured her a great reception.

Then a small group from the choir happily gave us some of the Liebeslieder Waltzes with duet accompaniment.

After this came Brahms' German Requiem. The choir began with a hushed devotional tone, which made the later climaxes all the more impressive, and the demanding fugues were very exciting.

Peter Dyke played the keyboard and was in excellent form and combined with the clear tone of the soprano soloist, the exceptional diction of the baritone and significant contribution from the young timpanist, Claire Evans, the whole performance was a triumph.

ER